Ferrari told that F1 driver who’s ‘not normal’ would be a ‘fantastic successor’ to Lewis Hamilton
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Lewis Hamilton is approaching 20 years in Formula 1 and will take part in his 400th Grand Prix with Ferrari next year.
It’s an extraordinary record, and Lewis Hamilton’s longevity is only bettered by his rival Fernando Alonso.
Hamilton signed a multi-year deal with Ferrari last year after achieving unparalleled success with Mercedes.
It’s believed that Hamilton controls an extension in his contract that could keep him on the grid until the end of 2027.
However, Ferrari will know that they need to start putting plans in place for when the seven-time world champion eventually leaves the team.
TEAMDRIVER 1DRIVER 2AlpinePierre GaslyN/AAston MartinFernando AlonsoLance StrollAudiGabriel BortoletoNico HulkenbergCadillacValtteri BottasSergio PerezFerrariCharles LeclercLewis HamiltonHaasEsteban OconOliver BearmanMcLarenLando NorrisOscar PiastriMercedesGeorge RussellKimi AntonelliRacing BullsN/AN/ARed Bull RacingMax VerstappenN/AWilliamsAlex AlbonCarlos Sainz2026 confirmed F1 drivers
James Allen has ruled out Hamilton driving for another team on the grid when his time at Ferrari comes to an end, but Fred Vasseur will already be analysing the various options available to him when the need for a new driver arises.
McLaren driver Oscar Piastri has been linked with Ferrari, while former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone has backed Gabriel Bortoleto as a future Ferrari driver after an impressive rookie season at Sauber.
However, former F1 driver Christijan Albers believes that Haas youngster Oliver Bearman has already proven he’ll be a ‘fantastic’ replacement for Hamilton one day when he eventually retires.
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Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Oliver Bearman told he’ll be a ‘fantastic’ replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari
Albers was speaking on De Telegraaf’s F1 Podcast after the United States Grand Prix and wanted to celebrate some of the drivers further down the grid.
He explained: “Hulkenberg had a fantastic weekend. I can’t complain.
“Silverstone, yes, we know he finished third, but he overtook Stroll, right? Then you can think to yourself, OK, what a chaotic race that was. Right or wrong?
RANKDRIVERTEAMPOINTS1Max VerstappenRed Bull252Lando NorrisMcLaren183Charles LeclercFerrari154Lewis HamiltonFerrari125Oscar PiastriMcLaren106George RussellMercedes87Yuki TsunodaRed Bull68Nico HulkenbergSauber49Oliver BearmanHaas210Fernando AlonsoAston Martin12025 United States Grand Prix result
“But Bortoleto did really well, Bortoleto had a really bad weekend, and Hulkenberg did really well.
“That Bearman guy, too. Sorry, with all due respect, but really, he would be a fantastic successor to Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari if he decides to retire.
“When you see him in Q3, and Ocon’s just in Q1. That’s not normal. So that lad can really put his foot down.”
READ MORE: Who is 2025 Haas driver Oliver Bearman? Everything to know
Lewis Hamilton has already delivered his verdict on Oliver Bearman
Bearman is currently 18th in the drivers’ championship, but is only 10 points behind teammate Esteban Ocon and has outscored the Frenchman since the Dutch Grand Prix.
His sixth-place finish at Zandvoort was superb, and he’s now achieved back-to-back points finishes for the first time since Bahrain.
At the British Grand Prix, Bearman reached the top 10 shootout but earned a 10-place grid penalty for a red flag infringement.
PointsGrand PrixExpiry DateReason22024 Sao Paulo GP2 November 2025Causing a collision with Franco Colapinto22025 Monaco GP23 May 2026Overtaking Carlos Sainz under red flag conditions in FP242025 British GP5 July 2026Crashing under red flags in FP322025 Italian GP 7 September 2026Causing a collision with Carlos SainzOliver Bearman’s current superlicence penalty points
Speaking about the 20-year-old during that weekend, via GPBlog, Hamilton said: “He did a phenomenal job earlier on this year [referencing the 2024 Saudi Arabian GP].”
“[He’s a] bright young talent, and I think it’s great that the UK is pumping out a lot of great young talented drivers.”
Mercedes driver George Russell added to Hamilton’s praise, stating: “Clearly Ollie is a great driver and it’s great to see four Brits on the grid, and I think it just goes to show the strength of British motorsport.”
Bearman’s connections to Ferrari mean that he’s in a good position to replace Hamilton one day.
However, Vasseur won’t settle for promoting Bearman if he thinks another better option is available, and that will be motivating him to succeed at Haas this season.
